loopyloo (21-06-18)
You could try hinekadon's tip and see if Lubuntu will work (currently v18.04)
Lubuntu is what got me hooked on Linux
It's lightweight and small but full powered - just add extra apps as you require from the huge library
loopyloo (21-06-18)
This time I didn't get the error about ACPI couldn't find package but it's still crashing to fallback mode.
Goto plan B : Install 18.
Install went well.
First thing I looked at was the drivers, now it's asking me if I want to download the processor microcode firmware for Intel.
Is that safe ? Is it the same as a bios update ?
Last edited by loopyloo; 21-06-18 at 06:22 PM.
theres a site called[ ask ubuntu ]plenty of help and tips there
theres not much in the 18.4 version thats why you can do as you like with it and its very forgiving
cheers
loopyloo (21-06-18),Skepticist (21-06-18)
The only real issue I've had with Mint is distorted crackly audio which happens with certain intel built-in sound systems. There are simple solutions like adding a single line to a config file if you encounter it.
loopyloo (21-06-18)
Mint 19 has yet to be released for general consumption, it is still in Beta testing. Mint 18 is the current LTS version. The Cinnamon desktop, which I do use, is apparently dependent upon relatively recent hardware to work correctly. For more specific details, you may be best asking some questions on the Linux Mint forums. There are some very helpful people there and are not as "elitist" as those on some of the other Distros.
I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message...
loopyloo (23-06-18)
loopyloo (23-06-18)
If you dont like my eliteist position then I will drive my bentley to my 85 ft motor launch and go fishing lol
The Intel microcode works well, and is (if I understand it well enough) to circumvent the latest round of nasties. So, yes, install it. The crackling sound is an issue with some machines, as skepticist has said, but I am not au fait with the issue.
The first thing I do with a new install is click on <Administration><Driver Manager> and install any drivers it asks for from there and then run all the updates from <Update Manager>.
I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message...
hinekadon (22-06-18)
Firstly you need to see if your hardware is using Intel HD audio so lspci will show something like:
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 9 Series Chipset Family HD Audio Controller
if your video card has HDMI or DisplayPort output there'll be another device in the list as well but it's the Intel one that controls the line in/out, mic, speaker, headphones etc
What worked for me in the end was inserting this line:
options snd-hda-intel model=auto
as the first of the list of options at the end of /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
You need elevated privileges to do this so (in terminal) open the file for editing with:
sudo xed /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
The file will now look like:
# Prevent abnormal drivers from grabbing index 0
options snd-hda-intel model=auto
options bt87x index=-2
options cx88_alsa index=-2
options saa7134-alsa index=-2
options snd-atiixp-modem index=-2
Save and re-start Mint with crossed fingers
This is the least invasive remedy because you're not installing/ uninstalling anything and it's simple to undo the change if it doesn't solve the problem for you. Pundits may advise against this approach but it's worked for me in Mint 17 & 18. Perhaps a future release of Mint will have a better solution built-in.
Last edited by Skepticist; 22-06-18 at 02:30 PM.
I've downloaded an update for firefox but how do I install it ?
What's the execute install file type ?
I've never used Mint but Linux updates work differently to Windows, when you update the system any updates for software are usually included & there's normally no need to download individual updates, I think this is mostly because the distro's maintainers make any adjustments needed so updated software runs correctly in whatever Desktop environment is used, Cinnamon, Xfce etc..
I imagine Mint comes with a GUI updater of sorts, probably found somewhere in the Menu, that's probably the easiest way to keep things up to date.
If you want to update via the Terminal & see what's going on every step of the way, open the Terminal & paste sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade hit Enter then enter your password & hit Enter again, the update process should run.
Once it's checked for updates you'll be prompted to proceed or not by a y/n response, hit y & it should do it's thing.
When it's finished just close the Terminal, simple as that.
loopyloo (23-06-18)
Thanks....Looks like it updated firefox ok with that sudo method.
So what is the name of the folder with the programs in it ? eg at the moment firefox is only in the bar at the bottom of the screen, I would like an icon for it on the desktop.
I can right click on the screen and go "create a new launcher here", and if I "browse" I'll then have to find firefox's executable.
Last edited by loopyloo; 23-06-18 at 05:59 PM.
Linux is far "friendlier" than windoze when it comes to updates. They all happen in the background, and everything that needs updating gets done. Not much in the way of waiting around while "updates are installed"
I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message...
loopyloo (23-06-18)
Yeah...Well this linux is looking better than what I've seen before. I tried it ages back and the way it was hard to get around was really off-putting. So this is it, I just need to find out how to navigate things and see if I will be converted.
I know windows pretty well and I have a Mac sitting in the back room I might try to work out too, it's a bit old but I might learn something from it.
So with linux added to the repertoire I should be able to choose the best to go with what I'm doing.
I'm looking at the idea of building a CNC router, maybe a large one, and what from what I've read linux might be the go there.
That will be a good project and even more involved than the jukebox. Yay !!
Last edited by loopyloo; 23-06-18 at 06:57 PM.
You'll find your apps in /usr/lib, there's a script simply named 'firefox' in /usr/lib/firefox you can target for a desktop launcher.
loopyloo (23-06-18)
Loopy, there's a general introduction to Ubuntu Linux for new users at
A fully searchable manual in .pdf format can be downloaded from
(The manual is for v.16.04 but the version you are using will be very similar).
Do yourself a favour by downloading it and starting to learn the fundamentals in exactly the same way that you did with Windows.
Most of the better/larger municipal libraries also have Linux manuals available for borrowing.
I wonder ?? the basic distro is not being overwritten but if you go to my suggestion your problems will dissappear ? then go to what every you want to use ?
regards !!!
loopyloo (23-06-18)
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